Historical

Highland Solution By Ceci Giltenan

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Unapologetically Romantic

I love to read romance and have ever since I read my first chaste, sweet, Harlequin as a young teenager in the 70’s. Way back then my favorite books were set in Australia and usually involved a wealthy widower and the nanny who won his heart. Sigh. Then somewhere along the way I chanced across a slightly steamier historical romance and was instantly hooked. I do read other genres as well, but historical romance, particularly those set in the Highlands, is my go-to when I want a relaxing, enjoyable, escape.
For years I dreamed of being an author and writing my own romantic novels. I even majored in English for a while at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) until I was overcome by a wave of practicality and transferred to Salisbury University for a BS in nursing. I was an oncology nurse for many years but eventually I was able to merge both skill sets and become a successful medical writer. While I dwelt in the world of early drug development, I still dreamed about my novels. I built plots and characters which were just waiting for me to breathe life into them.

There were always reasons not to write. I was busy with a job and a family and on top of that, I told myself that I knew absolutely nothing about the business. There was no way I could be successful. Of course that would inevitably be true if I never gave it a shot and wrote the first word. Finally, when my kids needed less of my time I had to stop making excuses. I would never know if it were possible unless I tried. I started writing and my first novel, Highland Solution, a medieval Highland romance spilled onto the page. This was my dream.

When, to my surprise, Champagne Books offered me a publishing contract I was thrilled beyond words and wanted to tell everyone I knew. Of course the first question from most people was, “What is it about?”

I generally responded somewhat apologetically, “Oh, well—um—it’s just a romance.”

The author inside me who fell in love with romance and worked hard to craft a beautiful story yelled “What the hell is that about?” While the stuffy adult medical writer said,
“Well—you know—romance? It’s not very important.”

Clearly, I needed to shut that snotty witch up but I needed to speak her language to do it.

While romance is often scorned by literary critics, according to statistics published by the Business of Consumer Book Publishing and reported on the Romance Writers of America website, romance was the top-performing category on the best-seller lists in 2012 generating $1.438 billion in sales in 2012.

So why do critics turn their nose up? Frankly, I’m not sure. Perhaps the sheer escapism that romance provides combined with the expected “happily-ever-after” leaves them cold. But why would I care about that? The escapism and the “happily-ever-after” is exactly what I seek in a romance. I love the fairy tale qualities inherent in most romance and I suspect I am not alone.

Having effectively gagged the apologetic medical writer with the statistics she so loves, now I answer, “Oooh, it’s a medieval Highland romance. It contains great characters who I can respect, a few villains, a little intrigue and a heartwarming romance. You’ll love it!”

Two lucky readers who comment on my blog will be randomly selected to win an electronic copy of Highland Solution. Good luck!

Highland Solution

Laird Niall MacIan needs Lady Katherine Ruthven’s dowry to relieve his clan’s crushing debt but he has no intention of giving her his heart in the bargain.

Niall MacIan, a Highland laird, desperately needs funds to save his impoverished clan. Lady Katherine Ruthven, a lowland heiress, is rumored to be “unmarriageable” and her uncle hopes to be granted her title and lands when the king sends her to a convent. King David II anxious to strengthen his alliances sees a solution that will give Ruthven the title he wants, and MacIan the money he needs. Laird MacIan will receive Lady Katherine’s hand along with her substantial dowry and her uncle will receive her lands and title.

Lady Katherine must forfeit everything in exchange for a husband who does not want to be married and believes all women to be self-centered and deceitful. Can the lovely and gentle Katherine mend his heart and build a life with him or will he allow the treachery of others to destroy them?

Comments-

Leah Weller commented on 18-Feb-2014 05:24 AM

Kathleen Woodiwiss and The Wolf and the Dove is the story that brought me to reading and I never looked back. :) It excites me when I see new authors come along writing about what I love. I know the genre is not going away with all these new genres that have been making such an uproar and it warms my heart.

I'm really looking forward to following the series and you on your writing career. :)

Ceci Giltenan commented on 18-Feb-2014 08:46 AM

Thanks Leah! I loved Kathleen Woodiwiss too. I recently reread some of those first romances that I fell in love with and they haven't lost their magic for me.
Ceci

Thanks Kathy. This post is particularly timely I think. There has been a lot of chatter recently about some journalists who have ridiculed romance as a genre and authors published by small presses or independently. The fact is millions of people love the genre and specifically they love the HEA or the HFN ending that they can count on.

Ceci

denise holcomb commented on 19-Feb-2014 09:19 AM

I loved Highland Solution! IF you find yourself in the Baltimore area, look me up and I'll treat you to Ledo's. ;)

Ceci Giltenan commented on 19-Feb-2014 11:00 AM

Thanks Denise! It isn't a matter of IF it is more a case of when and I would love to meet you for Ledos. My daughter goes to school in Baltimore.
Ceci

L L commented on 19-Feb-2014 01:22 PM

Interesting blurb

wanda flanagan commented on 10-Mar-2014 09:56 PM

Highland Solution sounds like a fantastic read I look forward to reading it .Thank you for sharing with us .

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